Tent-pole.



PATENTED MAY 19, 1908.

0. A. BATBMAN.

CLARENCE A. BATEMAN, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

TENT-POLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 19, 1908.

Application filed December 5, 1907. Serial No. 405,261.

.speciiication.

My present invention relates to improvements in tent poles, and more especially to that class adapted for portable purposes, such as for service in the army, in which cases it is essential or desirable that the oles should be compact when dismantled, ight in weight, consistent with the requisite strength and rigidity and capable of being manipulated with facility preparatory to its use or packing and transportation.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements, and com-- binations and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out particularly in the claims at the end of the specification- In the accompanying drawingsFigure 1 is a view of a tent pole constructed in accord ance with my present invention, the sections being shown in extended relation. Fig. 2 is a view with parts broken away, the sections being shown in collapsed or telescopcd relation. Fig. 3 represents an axial section of the sliding joint formed between the intermediate and top sections, the sections being locked in extended relation. Fig. 4 represents a transverse section on the line 44, Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the pin for the top section.

Tent poles constructed in accordance with the resent invention are capable of use general y, and that shown in the present instance is especially adapted for use in the army and for similar purposes where com pactness, lightness in weight and strength andrigidity are desirable. In the )resent instance the device is composed of a plurality of telescopic sections which are capable of sliding one within the other when not in use, and are adapted to be extended preparatory to the erection of thevtent, the sections being provided with suitably arranged catches which operate preferably automatically to retain the sections in extended relation, and which are capable of being easily manipulated to release the sections and permit a telescopic motion thereof. In the present ininstance being composed of stance a pole is shown composed of three telescopic sections, although it will be understood, of course, that an Y suitable number of sections may be used according to the desired length of the pole, and the length of the sections. All the sections are composed of tubing varying progressively in size to per mit the telesco ic movements thereof, and metal such as a uminum, brass, steel or the like of a suitable gage may be employed as may be desired.

The base section 1 is of the larger diameter and is reduced at its upper end to provide a sliding fit for the next smaller or intermediate section 2, the outside diameter of the latter being preferably less than the inside diameter of the outer or base section in order.

that the sections may easily slide one Within the other without liability of binding by reason of erookedness of the tubing. The upper end of the base section is reduced in the present instance by spinning or pressing the metal to form a pair of circumferential or peripheral grooves 3 and 4, these grooves being separated a suitable distance to prevent undue looseness between the base and intermediate sections, the upper groove 4 being preferably arranged at the upper edge of the base section.

The intermediate tube section 2, as previously stated, has a sliding fit within the reduced portions of the base section, and the movement of the intermediate section toward extended position is limited by a stop 5, the latter in the present instance being formed of a flange or peripheral shoulder produced by expanding the metal at the lower end of the intermediate section to a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the reduced portions of the base section, and is of a size that will permit it to slide freely within the body of the base section, this flange or shoulder abutting against the lower side of the lower reduced portion 3 and thereby limiting. the extending movement of the interme 'diate section. This intermediate section is locked in extended position relatively to the base section preferably by means of a catch that operates automatically as the sections are extended, the catch shown in the present a strip of resilient material formed into a shank 6 that is riveted or otherwise fixed to the intermediate section bymeans of a rivet or its equiva lent 7, the material surrounding the rivet being preferably counter sunk in order to permit the rivet head to pass the reduced portion of the next larger section. The upper end of this catch is bent flatwise to form a dog 8 which is adapted to project out-- wardly through a slot 9 formed in one side of the respective section, this dog being arranged to spring over the upper edge of the next larger section at the moment the peripheral flange or shoulder engages the reduced portion 3, the catch thus serving to automatically lock the intermediate section and prevent its collapsing. The extremity of the dog is preferably bent inwardly as at 10, and the metal punched from the tube in formin the catch receiving the slot 9 is preferab iy bent inwardly substantially at right angles to form a limiting stop 11.

As previously stated, the pole in the present instance is composed of three sections, and in order to accommodate the third or top section, the upper end of the intermediate section is reduced in the-same manner as the base section, that is to say it is provided with, the peripheral or circumferential reduced portions 12 and 13 that may be formed by spinning or pressing the tube by means of suitable dies, the internal diameter of the reduced portions being such as to provide a sliding fit for the top section 14:. The latter is also provided with a stop 15 for limiting its movement toward extended position relatively to the intermediate section, the lower end of the tubing composing this section being upset or expanded to form a peripheral flange or shoulder that is capable of sliding within the body portion of the intermediate section and is adapted to cooperate with the lower reduced portion 12 on the intermediate section to limit the extending movement of the top section. The latter is locked in extended position by means of a catch similar to that used on the intermediate section, that is to say, it is composed of a strip of resilient material comprising a shank 16 fixed to the tube by means of a rivet 17 which is countersunk below the surface of the tube, and the catch is provided with a dog 18 which projects through a slot 19 formed in the top section, the dog of this catch being arranged to spring over the upper edge of the intermediate tube section at the moment the shoulder 15 thereon engages the lower intermediate section, the catch thus serving to automatically lock the top section in extended position. The to section is of a length shorter than that or the intermediate section in order that its upper end may be substantially flush with the tops of the intermediate and base sections when the sections are in collapsed relation, and the movement of' the top section toward collapsed position relatively to the intermediate section, is limited by the stop 11 of the intermediate section which is turned inwardly and comreduced portion 12 of the inserted posed of metal punched from the catch receiving slot 9 thereof.

The upper end of the top section is adapted to cooperate with the canvas or other appropriate portion of the tent, and for this purpose it is provided in the present instance with a pin 20 which, when used in connection with the usual army tents, enters the eyelets in the canvas sections, this pin being secured in the pole section by a shank 21 provided with a peripheral groove 22, the shank fitting the upper end of the top section and is firmly locked in place by'crimping the metal into the peripheral groove of the shank as shown at 23.

The lower end of the base section of the pole is preferably closed to prevent the entrance of dirt, sand and the like, and in the present instance, a cap 24 is employed that may be pressed from sheet metal in the form of a cup, the cap having flanges 25 which snugly fit within the base section and the relatively sharp edge thus formed is capable of obtaining a firm hold on the ground, thus preventing accidental displacement of the pole when in position. This cap may be secured within the base section either by forcing it firmly in place by pressure, or it may be riveted or secured by equivalent means.

Vhen the pole is being transported, the sections are in telescoped relation, that is to say, they are all contained within the outer or base section, and when in this condition the pole is very compact and may berolled within the canvas section which each soldier carries as a part of his equipment. In erecting the tents it is only necessary to draw the several sections from one another and to extended relation, the stops serving to limit the extension of the sections, and the catches serving to automatically lock the sections in extended position so that they may withstand a considerable pressure or force tending to collapse them due mainly to the tension of the guy ropes of the tent. However, when it is desirable to pack the tent apparatus, it is only necessary to press the dogs of the respective catches inwardly by a pressure of the thumb or finger, and when thus released, they may pass within the next larger sections and thus permit the sections to be collapsed.

In assembling the sections of the pole shown in the present instance, the smallest or top section with the catch thereon is within the intermediate sections before the limiting stop 11 has been bent inwardly or adjusted in operative position, the said stop of course being positioned subsequently. The base cap is finally inserted in the bottom of the outer or base section, the said cap serving to retain the sliding sections within the outer sections. Accidental movement of the sections toward extended position is prevented by a slight binding or frictional engagement of the reduced portions of the sections and the next smaller section due to the lateral force exerted by the catches.

A tent pole constructed in accordance with my present invention is relatively light in Weight and ossesses the requisite rigidity to resist lateraF bending at the joints of the sections as well as pressure in a direction longitudinally of the pole such as that produced by the tension and shrinkage of the guy ropes that fasten the canvas to the ground. Moreover, not only are the locking catches wholly concealed when the sections are in telescoped or folded relation and are hence protected from breakage, but the spaces left between the body portions oi the tube sections will allow the tubing to be dented or crushed to a considerable degree by reason of hard service conditions without interfering with the relative sliding movements of the sections, and as the reduced portions which slidingly fit the respective next smaller sees tions are sunk below the exterior of the re spective tube section, these reduced portions are protected from such injury as might produce a binding of the sections relatively to one another.

Another advantage of tent poles constructed in accordance with the present invention adapts them particularl T for army and other portable uses is, that the sections lock themselves automatically in extended relation, and they may be readily unlocked to permit collapsing and packing, and as the pole when collapsed is free of projections of all kinds, it may be convenientlyrolled within the canvas and thus etl'ects a reduction in the bulk of the equipment when used for service in the army. The pole as shown in the present instance may be readily manufactured mainly by the use of dies so that it may be made inexpensively.

I claim as my invention 1. A tent pole comprising a plurality ol telescopic sections of dii'l'erent diameters and fitting one within the other, a base cap litted on the bottom of the outer or larger section, and an axially projecting tent engaging pin arranged on the top ol the inner or smaller section.

2. A tent pole comprising a plurality of telescopic tubular sections of di'tl'erent diameters and adapted to be enveloped one within the other and to be included within the length of the outer section, an axially proj ecting tent engaging pin arranged on the top of the inner or smaller section, and catches for locking the sections in extended position relatively to one another.

3. A tent pole comprising a plurality ol tubular telescopic sections adapted to slide into and to be contained within the length of the outer section, a tent engaging pin projecting axially from the top ol the innermost section and being ol smaller diameter lhan said innermost section to form a shoulder to engage and support a portionol" a tent, means For limiting the relative movement of the sections toward extemled position, and automatic catches for locking the sections in extended relation.

4. A tent pole comprising a plurality ol telescopic sections ol progressively varying diameters, one ol the sections having a portion below its upper end pressed inwardly to form an exterior cirmnnl erential depressnni, the inwardly pressed material forming a bearing with its surlace extending axially to slidingly lit the next smaller section, the latter section having a stop formed on its lower end adapted to (moperate with the said reduced portion ol the next larger section for limiting the relative movement ol the sections toward extended position, and a catch arranged on the section provided with the stop and adapted to cooperate with the top of the next outer section for locking the sections in extended relation.

5. A tent pole comprising a plurality of telescopic sections of different diameters, the outer section being provided at its upper end with a pair of upper and lower circumferential grooves forming reduced portions which slidingly lit the next smaller section, a tent engaging device arranged on the upper end ol the inner or smaller section, a stop lormed on the lower end ol" the section carrying the tcnt engaging device and arranged to cooperate with the lower reduced portion ol. the outer section for limiting the relative movement of the sections toward extended position, and a catch also carried by the section having the tent engaging device thereon and arranged to cooperate with the upper edge of the outer section to lock the sections in extended relation.

6. A tent pole comprising inner, outer and intermediate telescopic sections, a base cap inserted within the bottom of the outer section and having a ground engaging llange, a tent engaging pin secured in the top 01 the inner section, catches on the intermmliate and inner sections For locking the sections in extended relation, and a stop arranged within the internualiate section and adapted to cooperate with the bottom of the inner secthe inner section.

7 A tent pole comprising a plurality of telescopic sections of dill'erent diameters, means for locking the sections in extended relation, and a tent engaging pin having a shank fitting within the upper end of the in ner section and having a peripheral groove into which the material of the inner section is crimped.

8. A tent pole comprising telescopic base and top sections, the latter section having a tent engaging pin at its upper end, and an inverted cup-shaped cap closing the bottom tion for limiting the collapsing movement of of the base section and forming with the bottom edge of the base section, a ground engaging flange.

9. A tent pole comprising a plurality of telescopic sections of different diameters, the upper end of the outer section being reduced to form a sliding fit with the cooperating section, a catch mounted on the inner section for locking the latter in extended position, a stop on the lower end of the catch carrying section and arranged to cooperate with the said reduced portion to limit the extending movement of its respective section, and a rivet for securing the catch to the catch carrying section, said rivet being countersunk to permit it to pass the said reduced portion of the cooperating section.

10. A tent pole comprising inner, outer and intermediate telescopic sections, means for limiting the movement of the sections toward extended relation, the lower end of the intermediate section having a tongue of the material punched from the tube and turned inwardly to extend transversely of the said section and form a stop for limiting the collapsing movement of the inner section relatively to the intermediate section and forming a slot in the intermediate section, and catches carried by the inner and intermediate sections, the oatch on the latter section having a portion projecting through the said slot in the intermediate section.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses. v

CLARENCE A. BATEMAN.

itnesses:

Ross M. SEFToN, QUAY SEFTON. 

